The clearance was granted at the board's meeting here on Monday, P H Kurian, Principal IT Secretary and Chairman of the Single Window Clearance Board, said.

Abdullatif AlMulla, CEO of SmartCity Dubai and Chief Business Development Officer of Dubai Holding, the main promoter of SmartCity Kochi, welcomed the development in Dubai.

In a statement, Almulla said with grant of building permit, all major regulatory requirements for the first building have been obtained. Instructions have been given to make all efforts to complete the building by the end of next year, he said.

Though it was a tough target, considering the size and specifications of the building, it needs to be attained in view of the requirements of the different IT companies that Smartcity was in talks with, he said.

Managing Director of the company Baju George said the company had also received the formal communication from Environment Clearance Board, intimating the approval, subject to the filing of an affidavit, which the company would be doing this week.

The Smartcity Kochi has started land development activities at its first building's construction site in Edachira, Kakkanad. As part of the green construction, over 130 trees are being relocated in the site.

The first IT building of SmartCity, targeted to be one of the largest LEED Platinum rated IT buildings of India, is expected to cost between Rs 170-180 crore. The first phase also includes a bridge across the Kadamprayar river.